The college football power rankings are bound to change after this week. The Big Ten has been in the spotlight as the Michigan Wolverines have taken a tumble. This week, the Ohio State Buckeyes will take on the Penn State Nittany Lions. If the Buckeyes lose, that probably closes out their chances at making the College Football Playoff. If the Nittany Lions lose, their odds will surely falter too. One team that’s on the rise in the power rankings – that is looking to crash the party – is Notre Dame. After stomping USC last week, they have now shot up to sixth on the charts. the USC Trojans and Michigan Wolverines have become long-lost memories. Not only are they out of the Top 10, the head coaches of both teams have landed themselves on the hot seat. Here’s a look at this week’s college football power rankings.
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
Last Week: 1
National Championship Odds: -200
The Crimson Tide (8-0, 5-0 SEC) rolled to a 45-7 win at home over Tennessee, using two quarterbacks along the way. Jalen Hurts was 13-of-21 for 198 yards and a touchdown, while Tua Tagovailoa was 9-of-12 for 134 yards, a touchdown and a pick and he also ran four times for 36 yards and a score. The Crimson Tide held Tennessee to 108 yards while picking up 604 yards in another dominant performance, and they’ll stay at home this Saturday for a big meeting with LSU.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
Last Week: 2
National Championship Odds: +450
The Buckeyes (6-1, 4-0 Big Ten) stay put after a bye week, which means they should be well rested for their showdown at home with Penn State in the biggest game of the week. The Buckeyes have scored 54 points or more in each of their last four games, but their early-season loss to Oklahoma at home looms over them. A win over the Nittany Lions would do a world of good.
3. Penn State Nittany Lions
Last Week: 3
National Championship Odds: +650
The Nittany Lions (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) passed their first major test with a 42-13 rout of Michigan at home. Trace McSorley was 17-of-26 for 282 yards, a touchdown and a pick, and he also ran 11 times for 76 yards and three touchdowns, while Saquon Barkley had 15 carries for 108 yards and two scores, along with three catches for 53 yards and a touchdown for the Nittany Lions. It was a total team performance, but Penn State’s best players came up big when they needed to. They’ll need to again on Saturday when they head to Columbus.
4. Georgia Bulldogs
Last Week: 4
National Championship Odds: +1000
The Bulldogs (7-0, 4-0 SEC) had a bye this week and like Ohio State, they have a huge game this weekend. On Saturday, Georgia will head to Jacksonville for their annual meeting with Florida, which is formerly known as the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party”. Georgia can really take control of the SEC East with a win in this game, even though a loss wouldn’t hurt them that badly.
5. Clemson Tigers
Last Week: 5
National Championship Odds: +1000
The Tigers (6-1, 4-1 ACC) also had a bye and it was much needed after their loss at Syracuse, but they received some good news as quarterback Kelly Bryant is healthy and ready to go. Bryant cleared concussion protocol and should be at practice this week as the Tigers prepare for Saturday’s home game at Georgia Tech.
6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Last Week: —
National Championship Odds: +1800
The Fighting Irish (6-1) led 28-0 at halftime and cruised to a 49-14 win at home over USC as they ran for 377 yards on the trojans. Brandon Wimbush was 9-of-119 for 120 yards and two touchdowns, along with 14 carries for 106 yards and two scores, while Josh Adams had 19 carries for 191 yards and three touchdowns for the Fighting Irish, who also forced three turnovers. The Fighting Irish stay at home on Saturday as they’ll host North Carolina State.
7. TCU Horned Frogs
Last Week: —
National Championship Odds: +2000
The Horned Frogs (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) smothered Kansas in a 43-0 win at home, holding the Jayhawks to 21 total yards. Kenny Hill was 19-of-26 for 278 yards and five touchdowns for the Horned Frogs, while KaVontae Turpin took a punt 90 yards for a score. But it was the defense that carried TCU in this game and they’ll need another solid performance as they head to Iowa State on Saturday.
8. Wisconsin Badgers
Last Week: 6
National Championship Odds: +2500
The Badgers (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) kept pace in the Big Ten with a 38-13 win at home over Maryland in which Alex Hornibrook was 16-of-24 for 225 yards, a pair of scores and an interception. Jonathan Taylor had 22 carries for 126 yards and a touchdown for the Badgers, who racked up 440 yards to 268 yards for the Terrapins. The Badgers head out on the road on Saturday to take on Illinois, and they’ll have an eye on the Penn State-Ohio State game as Wisconsin is the class of the West division and they don’t play either of them in the regular season.
9. Miami Hurricanes
Last Week: 7
National Championship Odds: +2500
The Hurricanes (6-0, 4-0 ACC) went up 13-3 at halftime and held on for a 27-19 win over Syracuse at home. Malik Rosier was 26-of-43 for 344 yards and two scores, while running nine times for 45 yards. Christopher Herndon IV had 10 catches for 96 yards and a touchdown for the Hurricanes, who forced four turnovers, but they have been playing with fire lately. Miami’s last three wins have come by four points, one point and eight points. They have to play better on Saturday on the road as they travel to Virginia Tech.
10. Oklahoma Sooners
Last Week: 8
National Championship Odds: +3000
The Sooners (6-1, 3-1 Big 12) needed to score 22 points in the fourth quarter to beat Kansas State 42-35 on the road as Baker Mayfield went 32-of-41 for 410 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Rodney Anderson had 19 carries for 147 yards and a score for the Sooners, who also got 69 yards and a pair of touchdowns on nine carries from Mayfield, and Marquise Brown had six receptions for 126 ards for the Sooners, who have been struggling defensively after a great start to the season. That makes this Saturday’s home game with Texas Tech very interesting as the Red Raiders can score a lot of points.
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